Burning sensation

???Students watched in amazement Tuesday as the Environment, Health and Safety Services (EHSS) held their annual spring dorm room safety demonstration outside of the Student Union.

???As in years past, the EHSS preached their message about dorm room safety by filling a large mock-dorm room with items that the typical college student possesses, then setting it ablaze.

???Those in attendance like Jacob Cole, a junior history major, found the demonstration both entertaining and enlightening.

???"It was very educational, interesting and very fun to watch," he said. "It's cool how half of the stuff in our room can blow up instantly."

???The sight of clothes and furniture being consumed by the flames may bring a great deal of laughter and excitement to most students, but the EHSS wanted onlookers to focus on the seriousness of the issue, and let them know that this could become reality with every candle left burning or misused appliance.

???"I think that there are a lot of students who think that fire always happens to someone else and that it's not something they really need to be worry about," said James Guy, fire and life manager of the EHSS.

???According to Guy, polyester materials and other man made materials burn very rapidly and produce toxic smoke and other toxic chemicals that can be harmful to you.

One item that almost every student has in one form or another that is very combustible is polyester.

???"I try to keep my room very neat and clean so there are not a lot of combustibles about," said Dana Lash, a freshman undecided major.

???Lash recommended that students bring their roommates to one of these events if they are not doing enough to prevent a potential fire hazard.

???Even though the event was geared toward students who live in the on-campus residence halls, Guy also advices those living in on or off-campus apartments to pay attention to things such as what they putting combustible material into the environment, and to be especially aware of your surroundings while cooking.

???Guy emphasized the importance of making sure your smoke alarms work, and that if you do hear an alarm go off, react to it as quickly as you can.